Sixth Master Gu sighed.

Shen Changle, observing his expression, said, "If it weren’t for Sixth Master having recently lost his wife, I feel that this Miss Dong would be quite a suitable match for the Sixth Master."

Sixth Master Gu wasn’t annoyed and asked, "Why?"

Shen Changle replied, "Sixth Master loves poetry and painting and is bound to become a renowned scholar in the future. Miss Dong is also quite talented; as a couple, they would complement each other harmoniously, surely becoming a celebrated story. Besides, since the lady is so virtuous, Miss Dong being her friend obviously means she is equally learned and noble. When others get engaged, they always inquire everywhere to guard against being deceived by matchmakers. The lady would know all about Miss Dong, which saves a lot of trouble."

Gu Shiliu said nothing, merely observing Sixth Master Gu’s expression from the side.

Sixth Master Gu laughed and said, "It’s not out of humility, but Miss Dong’s poetry far surpasses mine. A suitable man for her would be a scholar like my virtuous brother, Si Yuan."

Gu Shiliu said, "If Mr. Qin could marry Miss Dong, the lady would probably have arranged it long ago."

The implication was that Miss Dong’s family status seemed somewhat lacking, and Sixth Master needn’t belittle himself.

Sixth Master Gu sighed, "If she didn’t have such poetic talent, perhaps she would be content waiting to marry. But without such talent, I wouldn’t feel regret for her."

Shen Changle remained silent.

Sixth Master Gu further stated, "Moreover, I once vowed to mourn for three years, so how could I discuss marriage at this time? Miss Dong’s marriage will probably be settled soon."

In the end, there was no destiny.

Sixth Master Gu sighed sincerely, "I hope this poetry anthology will sell well and help Miss Dong gain fame."

Shen Changle smiled, "With Sixth Master’s carefully arranged illustrations, and with me hiring top-notch typesetters for a higher price, this anthology will be even more refined than the last one and is bound to sell well."

Sixth Master Gu became interested, "I’ll go out now to seek famous painters; you call upon the typesetters to work together."

Sixth Master Gu and Shen Changle went out together, with Gu Shiliu also heading out to gather information.

The three left the mansion together, passing by the entrance of the Book Sea Pavilion. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Gu Shiliu, holding a whip on horseback, laughed as he pointed to the Book Sea Pavilion’s sign, saying, "Back then, the people at Book Sea Pavilion didn’t even look us in the eye and said our Gu Mansion shouldn’t dare besmirch the literary world just because we have money. Who would’ve thought they’d set up poetry contests at their door now, imitating us, but theirs looks much less grand than the Imperial College’s."

Shen Changle laughed, "Let me tell you something amusing. Recently, the owner of the Book Sea Pavilion had someone come to propose, saying they wanted to help sell our poetry collection."

Sixth Master Gu and Gu Shiliu stared at him, waiting for more details.

Shen Changle puffed out his broad chest and laughed, "I’m not one to speak easily. I said I’m the lady of Dingbei Marquis Mansion’s companion, publishing poetry collections for the mansion’s Sixth Master. If they wanted to plead with me, they had better see if my master agreed."

The owner of Book Sea Pavilion ultimately didn’t come to plead at the Marquis Mansion, obviously unwilling to disgrace himself.

Gu Shiliu laughed heartily, "Satisfying."

"Satisfied with just this?" Shen Changle remarked indifferently, "I said we’d have Book Sea Pavilion begging us in the future. This is just the beginning. After being rejected, they went ahead with their own poetry contest and started clamoring to publish poetry collections too."

Sixth Master Gu, lacking confidence, gazed remotely at the Book Sea Pavilion’s shop door, saying, "We’ve just begun making poetry collections, but they’ve been doing it for so many years. What if..."

More effort may be needed after all, Sixth Master Gu mused internally.

Shen Changle laughed loudly, "It’s not the servant boasting, but the owner of Book Sea Pavilion is merely an Advanced Scholar, best at writing strategies and excuses. When it comes to poetry collections, they might not measure up to us. At Jiujie Mansion, I saw many who excelled at writing strategies but not at poetry. Writing poetry and strategies are two different skills. Otherwise, the young master there wouldn’t have been stuck on poetry for so many years, not even Lord Sacrificial Officer could help."

Sixth Master Gu felt slightly at ease but soon asked worriedly, "They’re now starting poetry contests, attracting people to write poems. Could they encroach on our business?"

Shen Changle replied, "Rest assured, Sixth Master; in the future, it’s uncertain who will encroach on whose business. They’re trying to usurp our poetry collection business, and we’ve set our sights on their strategy writing business."

Gu Shiliu laughed, "Once Mr. Qin passes his exams, won’t the strategy writing have a name?"

After all, the owner of Book Sea Pavilion, being an Advanced Scholar, had arranged for peers of high scholarly standing to jointly publish strategies.

Qin Siyuan is certainly destined to pass his exams in the future, and with luck, could achieve the second or third rank.

This difference is heaven and earth.

Sixth Master Gu said happily, "If we have the esteemed brother, Si Yuan, as a brand, and Lord Sacrificial Officer supporting it, then the business will flourish."

Shen Changle laughed, "I’ve heard that Young Master Nantang and Mr. Songshan are likely to lend their pens. With their talents already recognized by the world through this contest, if the Firefly Collection sells well and gains fame, Luoyang paper will be precious, with everyone scrambling to buy it."

Gu Shiliu laughed heartily.

Sixth Master Gu was also overjoyed and exclaimed, "Third sister-in-law really has skills, planning ahead in everything. Who knows, in the future, we might take away half of Book Sea Pavilion’s business."

Shen Changle, full of confidence, "One day, Book Sea Pavilion will have to plead with us. Then, let them see who truly disgraced the literary world! Sixth Master, it’s not the servant boasting. Just think, Book Sea Pavilion is only known for strategies; it may not compete with us in poetry collections, and we’ll even encroach on their strategy writing business. Even if it’s a draw in both, we have Mr. Songshan’s offerings they can’t take away."

Sixth Master Gu couldn’t help but excitedly slap his knee, saying, "Let’s quickly finalize the plans and get everything arranged. Initially, I thought to take my time with the painting, to make it exquisite, but now it seems wiser to draft a sketch first, then find renowned painters in the city to refine it."

Shen Changle caught on immediately and said, "Alright, Sixth Master, if you can produce a draft that the painters can refine together, it will surely be lifelike, making every person who was present vividly portrayed."

The owner of Book Sea Pavilion stood upstairs, watching them halt their horses alongside the road, pointing at the store gate and saying something, feeling quite restless, and angrily asked, "Who’s with Shen Changle?"

The shopkeeper standing beside him leaned over the window, taking a look, and said, "The one wearing plain clothes, looking like a scholar, is Sixth Master of Dingbei Marquis Mansion. The other is the guard beside Marquis Gu, who handles many affairs in the capital."

"It was him who came here to publish the poetry collection?"

"Yes."

The owner of Book Sea Pavilion sneered, "Merely clinging onto the coattails of Young Master Nantang and Mr. Songshan, thinking he’s achieved success. Fools are still fools. Just because they rely on others to publish a poetry collection, they believe they’re a talent. The Emperor only praised him a couple of times out of respect for Marquis Gu, and he forgot his own worth."